ROUND THE CAMPFIRE

Waikato Times, Volume 95, Issue 14949, 20 May 1922, Page 15 (Supplement)

ROUND THE CAMPFIRE

BOY SCOUT NOTES, (By “Pathfinder"). I was (talking to a patrol leader the Other day, a very keen scout, who is literally bursting, himself In his efforts to pass his first-class test, and he discussed what he considered were the Chief obstacles to a boy earning his class badge. Of coursei the swimming test was one hurdle, but. that in his mind was not a great difficulty as scouts in this locality have no lack of facilities for learning to swim, and the test, fifty yards, was clearly defined and is not a very severe standard. But the distance judging and estimating test Was a great obstacle in his estimation, not toy reason of any very high standard of efficiency demanded, but chiefly for want of a standard to work to. He stated that the instructions in “Scouting for Boys" were vague and did not help much, and his scoutmaster, although able to give him a lot of little wrinkles and useful tips, could not inform him of the limits of the examiners’ questions. And so while we might be able to calculate the amount of water in a stream, or the

number of gallons of water in a tank, the capacity of a room, height of a tree, ' Weight of fc sheep or sack of flour, pr the area of a paddock, he might he

‘stumped’ if the examiner asked him to ' calculate the number of people in a crowd, or the number of tons of straw in a stack. There seemed, in his mind, no limit to the things he was expected to know and it all depended on the examiner’s liver whether he passed a boy or not, for he could make the test easy or impossible according to his humour. I am in sympathy with that leader, for It has been apparent to me for some time that this test has discouraged 'more aspiring first-class scouts than any of the other tests. An endeavour should be made to arrive at some working standard. I suggest that the local Scoutmasters’ Association discuss Hie matter and confer with the examiners with the object of arranging some standard to work om and to define a more detailed outline of what is required of the boy. I do not wish the test to be made a “soft thing,” keep a high standard, but make it as uniform as possible and applicable 10 all local soouts; without lowering the sta-ndard required by headquarters.Some weeks ago I stated that the patrol leader was the most-important person in the troop, that he was the backbone of the movement and I am wondering when local leaders will commence to take their position seriously. Let me give you a hint'. You already hold your Court of Honour, jiow why not branch a step further and copy the scoutmasters. They meet ■ regularly and discuss the progress abd welfare of the various troops and exchange ideas and work hand in hand in many ways. Why not hold patrol leaders’ meeting? Let all the leaders in this town meet occasionally and .discuss the l|est methods of working with their patrols. Exchange ideas, and swop suggestions and you will find your work easier. Y’ou will create a splendid feeling of comradeship t among yourselves and realise that scouting is a real brotherhood when you start to help one another. I am growing .tired of hearing the same stale hakas and troop yells, f so offer the following for your approval and consideration. : The skyrocket.—All stand up. (1) bend down to ground, arms stretched as ; though tq -.light rocket; (2) hiss — first of all quietly wilh a gradual cressendo, then die away again—follow flight ’of rocket witli outstretched hand;- (3) clap once—this is the rocket bursting; (4) give a long drawn “Ah”—this is the cry of admiration from the crowd —following the falling stars with pointing right hand; (5)

pull up shorts and slap knees alternalely in rapid succession —this represents the rocket sticks falling; (0) unbend and give one staccato cheer, "Hurrah'. , Here’s one for-the cubs, called the Pack Sneeze. Divide the the cubs up into six groups, one to each of the following words: Asia, Ayrshire, Esher, Prussia, Persia, Russia. On the word "go” they all yell their group word, end the result is the reproduction oi a gigantic sneeze. 1

Troop Reports. First Church. —Six boys passed thei r tenderfoot tests- last week and five qualified for their second-class badge.A keen interest is displayed in outdoor work and few boys miss these outings which combine play and knowledge in a way that appeals to every lad. We are busy preparing for the Winter Show, and although our appearance will be on the last day, our items shall not be least in quality. More prizes for the boys. This time an offer of a watch for the smartest scout at the end old the year. St. Peter’s.—We are holding a social and dance on Friday evening, arranged by our committee to raise funds lor the finishing and equipping oi our proposed new hut. New boys continue !o join the troop and vve are almost full strength again. Our cub pack is active and energetic and if noise counts for anything is the lustiest in the Dominion. "Gee,” but they have well-developed lungs. Badgew'ork occupies the major portion of the time of both troop and pack and vve shall soon have a big percentage of fbadgers.” Hamilton East.—On Friday night we open our new hut and will entertain a few well-wishers with troop items and light refreshments. The hut is only 24ft. x 16ft., small for our requirements, as the troop is ovorstrengtn, but we recognise that the majority of big things have small beginnings and this troop is going to prove no exception to this ruling, and the hut will grow as our successes multiply. We are a troop of workers; not a bunch of hot-air merchants talking glibly of "future plans,” we concentrate our efforts on the present, our future is assured and the troop success a foregone conclusion. Ironsides.—Our Saturday outings still continue to be an attractive feature of our syllabus and grow more interest • ing as weeks slip by. it has lo he (a very wet day that prevents us from embarking on some expedition or other. While other troops are considering the suspension of their Saturday parades during the forthcoming winter months, we are just planning fresli stunts that Will occupy every Saturday until Christmas and our only regret is that there are not two Saturdays in the week. However, this being holidayweek, we are getting in a few extra outings. We have noticed of late in other troops a number of ideas and schemes bearing a close resemblance to our methods of doing things, thus bearing out the truth of our slogan: What the “Ironsides” do to-day, the rest of the troops do to-morrow. Arawas. —Several outings Ibis week, full advantage being taken of the school holidays. We celebrated "Mothers’ Day” with a church parade, ft good muster on parade. Good progress is being made with our Winter Show items, and our cubs are not behind in this respect. In fact the cubs have shamed several of the troops, having been busy for weeks past with ghow articles and items.

OiRL PEACE SCOUTS. The Girl Peace Scouts met last Wednesday. The president, Mrs Blamires, gave a short address and

stated that the St. Paul’s troop being the only troop at present in Hamilton there were several girls belonging to other churches who had linked up with this troop, and while they wanted ail girls, do matter to what church they belonged, they hoped they would he loyal to their own church. What they would like was that every girl, as far as possible, would attend the church parades which are held once every month. If'and when the time oomes when other churches form a troop, sorry as they will be to lose these girls, they will quite understand their wanting to join their own church. All girls are welcome to join the troop, which will meet again next Wednesday at 7 p.m.